CAN VS. ABLE TO
With CAN and ABLE TO, both are modals and have the same meaning—to show if you have ability. However, they are used differently. CAN is a word that English speakers use as a verb. However, with ABLE TO, it is an auxiliary verb, which always goes with the verb ‘TO BE’. For example: CAN:
- I CAN ride a bike
- I CAN give you an example if you’d like.
- SHE CAN come to the concert at 11pm.
- I CAN only imagine how crazy it was!
ABLE TO:
- I AM ABLE TO ride a bike.
- I AM ABLE TO give you an example if you’d like.
- SHE IS ABLE TO come to the concert at 11pm.
However, we usually don’t use ABLE TO before the adverb “only”. Instead, use only BEFORE the verbal phrase ABLE TO. ABLE TO is also a verb phrase, and the adverb is really “added to the verb”… not the auxiliary verb.
- I AM ONLY ABLE TO imagine how crazy it was! (Correct)
- I AM ABLE TO ONLY imagine how crazy it was! (Incorrect)
When using the negative, be sure to remember this—CAN NOT and AM NOT ABLE TO. You also use the negative [not] with the verb, not an auxiliary verb.
- I CAN NOT find my house keys! Where are they?!
- I am NOT ABLE TO come to the concert at 11pm.
Another point to note is using ABLE TO with the subject “YOU”. You typically don’t say in English, “YOU ARE ABLE TO + [verb]” when discussing something that hasn’t happened yet, because, when speaking to a second person subject, it sounds demanding like an imperative statement or an assumption. Only use it when discussing someone’s ability. For example,
- She is able to use chopsticks very well! (Already seen)
- He is able to pat his head and walk at the same time. (Already seen)
- They are able to make the final meeting. (Already known)
If you want, with the words ABLE TO, you can use a tag question in order to make your assumption sound nicer.
- You ARE ABLE TO go to the concert, correct?
- You ARE ABLE TO make the meeting at 5pm, aren’t you?
- You ARE ABLE TO come to Sandra’s birthday party next Tuesday, aren’t you?
CAN VS BE ABLE TO
There is generally quite a bit of confusion amongst English learners about the difference between and the usage of CAN and BE ABLE TO, I will try to clear that up by explaining the difference in simplified terms. If it still doesn’t make sense, then hopefully the example sentences will help!
CAN and BE ABLE TO are often interchangeable and you can usually use either one without a difference in meaning, but sometimes you cannot.
The difference in grammatical terms is:
[Tweet “CAN is a modal auxiliary verb that expresses general ability to do things in the Present tense, COULD can be used to express this in the Past tense.”]
CAN is a modal auxiliary verb that expresses general ability to do things in the Present tense, COULD can be used to express this in the Past tense.
[Tweet “BE ABLE TO can also be used to express general ability, although it sounds a bit more formal.”]
BE ABLE TO is not a modal auxiliary verb it is a combination of the verb ‘BE’ + the adverb ‘ABLE’ + the infinitive ‘TO’. BE ABLE TO can also be used to express general ability, although it sounds a bit more formal.
Read more:
Can vs Could vs Shall!
Can Could with Many Examples
PRESENT TENSE
In the Present tense, you can use both CAN and BE ABLE TO, but CAN is a lot more common.
Here are some example sentences:
- Charlie can play many different instruments.
- Charlie is able to play many different instruments.
- Michelle can bake delicious cakes.
- Michelle is able to bake delicious cakes.
FUTURE TENSE
You can only use WILL BE ABLE TO, to talk about a future skill or ability that you don’t have yet, but will have in the future. You cannot EVER use CAN for an ability that you will only have in the future.
Here are some examples:
- When I complete this training course, I will be able to work as an Aircraft Engineer.
✘ When I complete this training course, I can work as an Aircraft Engineer. INCORRECT
- I will be able to walk properly after my hip operation.
✘ I can walk properly after my hip operation. INCORRECT
You use either CAN or BE ABLE TO when talking about decisions and future arrangements:
- The dentist can see you later today.
- The dentist is able to see you later today.
- I can help you with your homework later.
- I will be able to help you with your homework later.
- I can give you a lift home tonight.
- I will be able to give you a lift home tonight.
PAST TENSE
The past tense of ‘can’ is COULD and the past tense of ‘be’ is WAS/WERE, so we use these to talk about an ability that existed in the past but doesn’t anymore.
- When I was younger, I could remember everything so well.
- When I was younger, I was able to remember everything so well.
- Before my accident, I could run faster than everyone in my school.
- Before my accident, I was able to run faster than everyone in my school.
We cannot use COULD with action verbs that are used to talk about a single event in the past, instead we use WAS/WERE ABLE TO. The verbs MANAGED and SUCCEEDED (IN …ING) are also possible in this case. For example:
- We were able to visit grandmother last weekend, because she wasn’t busy.
✘ We could visit grandmother last weekend, because she wasn’t busy. INCORRECT
- After climbing for several hours, we managed to get to the top of the mountain.
- After climbing for several hours, we succeeded in getting to the top of the mountain.
- After climbing for several hours, we were able to get to the top of the mountain.
✘ After climbing for several hours, we could get to the top of the mountain. INCORRECT
- I was able to send your parcel after work yesterday, because the post office was open late.
- I managed to send your parcel after work yesterday, because the post office was open late.
✘ I could send your parcel after work yesterday, because the post office was open late. INCORRECT
- Yesterday, I was able to get to school on time.
✘ Yesterday, I could get to school on time. INCORRECT
BUT, we can use either COULD or WAS/WERE ABLE TO with some stative verbs (see, hear, feel, taste) to talk about an ability related to a single event:
- Could you see the band from where you were standing?
- Were you able to see the band from where you were standing?
- I could see your underwear through your dress yesterday!
- I was able to see your underwear through your dress yesterday!
- Because I was sitting in the front row, I could hear the teacher clearly.
- Because I was sitting in the front row, I was able to hear the teacher clearly.
For negative statements, we use COULDN’T (COULD NOT) or WASN’T/WEREN’T ABLE TO (WAS NOT/WERE NOT) for both single events and a long period of time:
- I couldn’t finish all my homework yesterday.
- I wasn’t able to finish all my homework yesterday.
- I couldn’t eat spicy food when I was younger.
- I wasn’t able to eat spicy food when I was younger.
- I couldn’t see the band at all from where I was standing.
- I wasn’t able to see the band at all from where I was standing.
- In spite of climbing for several hours, we couldn’t get to the top of the mountain.
- In spite of climbing for several hours, we weren’t able to get to the top of the mountain.
I hope that has cleared up some of the confusion for you! If you have any questions, let us know.
We are always here to help!
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Can or May? Which one to use?
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